"After all, if you want to negotiate with a devil, you need to have some understanding of this sort of thing," Morgana cackled, then pointed at the lock on the cage, which unlatched with a click, the door swinging open. I paused warily before stepping out, but after a moment's hesitation, I decided to exit. After all, if Morgana wanted to kill me, why bother with all the conversation?
As I was once again distracted by the door, where the sound had escalated from mere thumping to a few creaks and cracks, indicating the door might give way soon. Before I could gather my thoughts, Morgana tossed an ancient-looking scroll at me.
"Your first task, my little apprentice," Morgana grinned, crossing her arms. "A lesson in concentration under pressure. Copy that magic circle onto the floor in front of that door before it crumbles to pieces, or else be trundled off back to your castle to play dress-up for the rest of your days."
"I told you I don't want to be a devil's pawn," I frowned, looking at the intricate diagram on the scroll.
"Hahaha!" Morgana laughed aloud. "You're not nearly ready to meet a devil, little princess. That is merely some basic sorcery, child's play. So, do you have what is necessary to take the first steps down this path?"
I glared at Morgana, who smirked back, then clenched my fist. Grabbing chalk from a nearby table, I rushed to the door and began drawing in earnest along the floor. Although the incessant noise was annoying, I knew I had to focus and draw carefully if I wanted the circle to activate. No sooner had I completed the diagram and stepped back did the door crumble to pieces and a warrior clad in armor barrel through. And found himself smack-dab in the middle of my circle, which came to life with an ominous light.
"My princess, I, Duke Fagult, amd here to rescue you!" the armored noble cried out rather grandiosely, then realized that something was amiss. He could not move an inch. "Foul witch! Release the princess!" Duke Fagult growled, addressing Morgana.
"Haha, listen to the fool. Well, little princess? Do you want to be 'rescued'?" Morgana sneered. "If so, better deactivate that pretty magic circle you drew and let that pompous fool carry you off into the sunset."
"Hideous fiend! How dare you involve the princess in you evil machinations--" Duke Fagult suddenly clammed up as Morgana snapped her fingers. It was obvious she had done something to silence him.
"If I hadn't made up my mind, I wouldn't have bothered drawing the circle in the first place," I sighed at Morgana's theatrics, with a disgusted glance at Duke Fagult, an arrogant lord who saw me as nothing but a trophy to add to his collection. "What do you plan to do with him?"
"Well, you're going to need a test subject to practice on," Morgana smiled as Duke Fagult blanched. "And we can't have him running back to the palace, now can we? So then," Morgana continued, readying her wand. "How about the honorable Duke finds out what it feels like to be..."